Dammeier Files Bill to Address Attorney Conflicts of Interest

"A state senator seeking to lead Pierce County as its next executive wants to intervene in one of the biggest legal issues facing the county right now: County Prosecutor Mark Lindquist.

Bruce Dammeier, R-Puyallup, said he is preparing legislation that would allow county governments to seek help from the state attorney general when the county prosecutor is accused of wrongdoing or of having a conflict of interest.

Dammeier said the legislation would apply statewide, but is prompted by the current situation in Pierce County, where County Executive Pat McCarthy has filed suit to try to force Lindquist to step away from a case concerning the disclosure of text messages sent from his personal cellphone."